Teams in the East Region

1. Indiana (27-6) –There is no great team in the tournament, but Indiana comes real close. Led by Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo, the Hoosiers have the second-highest scoring offense in the country and solid rebounding.

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16. LIU Brooklyn (20-13) — The NEC champs are making their third straight trip to the Big Dance. They have the fifth-highest scoring offense in the nation, but the defense is suspect.

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16. James Madison (20-14) –The Dukes are in the Big Dance for the first time in 19 years, a surprise winner of the CAA Tournament. James Madison has a lot of experience, with six seniors, but has little reason to be expecting a monumental upset.

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8. N.C. State (24-10) — N.C. State is one of the country’s most talented teams, and have unbelievable scoring depth, with five players averaging double-digit points. The Wolfpack’s core advanced to last year’s Sweet 16. Above: TJ Warren

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9. Temple (23-9) — Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Khalif Wyatt (above) can turn a game with a few flicks of his wrist, but forwards Anthony Lee and Scootie Randall need to be at their best for the Owls to do any damage here.

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5. UNLV (25-9) — Unlike their trips to the NCAA Tournament the last two years, the Rebels have the pieces to make noise this March. Forward Anthony Bennett (above) is one of the top freshmen in the nation.

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12. California (20-11) — Red hot after a seven-game win streak late in the season made it tournament-worthy, California boasts one of the top 1-2 punches in the country in dyanmic forward Allen Crabbe (above) and playmaking guard Justin Cobbs.

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4. Syracuse (26-9) — The Orange slipped after an 18-1 start, but bounced back in the Big East Tournament. Syracuse is skilled, as usual, but hasn’t reached the Final Four since Carmelo Anthony cut down the nets.

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2. Miami (27-6) — Miami has showcased one of the best defenses in the nation and busted a slump in the ACC tourney. The Hurricanes ascended to the No. 1 team in the nation last month, and looks to have regained that form.

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7. Illinois (22-12) — The Illini aren’t much on the glass or from beyond the arc, but they remain of the most intriguing teams to watch. With wins against Gonzaga, Ohio State and Indiana, no foe is safe.

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10. Colorado (21-11) — Firmly on the bubble entering Selection Sunday, Colorado is hard to figure out. The Buffaloes have a handful of marquee victories and just as many bad losses. Above: Spencer Tinwiddie

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3. Marquette (23-8) — Marquette lost its two best players from last season and barely missed a beat. The Golden Eagles have a balanced offense, but have no 3-point threats, attempting less than five per game. Above: Davante Gardner

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14. Davidson (26-7) — Davidson lacks that superstar — as it had in Stephen Curry in its run to the Elite Eight five years ago — but the Wildcats shoot 3-pointers well and have two-time Southern Conference Player of the Year Jake Cohen (above).

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6. Butler (26-8) — Everybody’s Cinderella has an elite scorer in Rotnei Clarke (above) and an effective forward tandem in Andrew Smith and Roosevelt Jones, but there are weaknesses VCU exposed in a recent 32-point rout.

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11. Bucknell (28-5) — Bucknell
could be very dangerous. After another dominating the Patriot League, the Bison are one of the best bets to bust a bracket. Big man Mike Muscala (above) can match up with anyone in the power conferences.